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Welcome to the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Insider, a newsletter that features regular updates about upcoming Dem-NPL events, legislative happenings, and news that affects North Dakotans! If you would like to have something added to the newsletter, email us at [email protected]. Spread the word of our newsletter by sharing our sign-up link today: https://demnpl.com/join-our-newsletter/.
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What a year it has been! The 68th Legislative Session unprecedented attacks on our freedoms—especially for North Dakota’s LGBTQ community. This extremism was met with hard-fought activism, and some of the horrendous legislation was watered down. Democrats were able to push through school lunch funding, work to address our childcare crisis, and make insulin more affordable for diabetes patients. Since the session, the state has lost two lawsuits because Republican lawmakers rushed the bill that funds the Office of Management and Budget AND the bill to draw new legislative districts.
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A series of scandalous behavior from NDGOP officials has been reported on this year including Rep. Rios of Williston hurling racist and homophobic slurs at police officers, hiring an Executive Director who posted demeaning comments about women and minorities, equivocating and joking about allegations against former Sen. Holmberg that he traveled to Prague to assault children, and standing up for the employee who had former Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s emails deleted lest they be subject to an open records request. Our state and our country deserve better, and the Democratic-NPL is ready to deliver that for all North Dakotans.
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2024 is going to be an important year. We can fight the NDGOP’s waste, fraud, and abuse, but it will take all of us!
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- Laura Dronen, Communications and Digital Director
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Communications Committee
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 – 6:30 PM
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Communications Committee Monthly Meeting. Contact Lana Rakow for login credentials at [email protected].
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Dem-NPL District 13 Meeting – Everyone Welcome
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Wednesday, January 10, 2024 – 6:00 PM
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Blarney Stone Pub – West Fargo
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1910 9th Street E., West Fargo
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Rep Karla Rose Hanson and Sen Ryan Braunberger will give Legislative Updates!
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Democratic-NPL Executive Committee
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Wednesday, January 10, 2024 – 7:00 PM
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The Executive Committee Meeting for the State Democratic-NPL Party. Each Second Wednesday of the Month For more information contact Adam Goldwyn at [email protected]
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Democratic-NPL Policy Committee
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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 – 6:00 PM
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The Policy Committee will be having a virtual meeting in January. The Policy Committee consists of the Executive Committee and two representatives from each legislative district. For the login credentials please contact Adam Goldwyn at [email protected]
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District 12 Winter Blue Dinner
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Friday, January 26, 2024 – 6:00 PM
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The Bunker
1520 3rd St SE Jamestown
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Celebrate 2024 and Dem-NPL community! Dinner and drinks will be served, and we’ll hear from guest speakers and enjoy a live auction of locally famous homemade pies.
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Whether it’s an evening gown or crewneck sweatshirt, wear your favorite blue for this fun, family-friendly event to support local Dem-NPL organizing.
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District Conventions
February 6, 2024 – March 16, 2024
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Legislative Districts will have District Conventions between Feb 6 and March 16. Contact your District Chair for information about your district’s convention.
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All districts will elect delegates to the North Dakota Democratic-NPL State Convention.
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Even-numbered districts will nominate candidates for the North Dakota State House and Senate
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North Dakota Democratic-NPL State Convention
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Thursday, April 4 – Sunday, April 7, 2024
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Join us in Fargo for the Official ND Democratic-NPL State Convention!
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Become a delegate and participate in active democracy! We will officially nominate candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor & Lt. Governor, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Public Service Commissioner. Most activities will happen on Friday and Saturday.
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Read what North Dakotans are talking about and learn how news right here in the Peace Garden State is impacting you.
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Press Releases from the Dem-NPL
Help us amplify our message and important issues for North Dakotans today!
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No resignation from legislator who berated arresting officer
The North Dakota legislator who was caught on camera in a drunken tirade against police says he is “seriously mulling all aspects” of his future, but did not resign his seat in a statement posted Wednesday.
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If Rios won't resign, House lawmakers should expel him
If the Republican Party has unwavering support for law enforcement, what should we make of disgraced former President Donald Trump, currently the prohibitive favorite to win the GOP's presidential nomination, honoring the people who violently attacked Congress, and the men and women of law enforcement protecting Congress, in his name?
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Trump thinks of the Jan. 6 convicts as martyrs, referring to them as "hostages" at his rallies. Trump has used a recording of Jan. 6 convicts singing the national anthem at his rallies.
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Speaking out: Voting Rights Act ensures important protection
It has been disappointing to see the response from elected officials since the court determined our legislative map violated the VRA. The legislative redistricting committee met a couple of times to review options, but legislators did not even ask for input from the tribes involved in this litigation. When asked if a non-Native American can represent a Native American community as well as someone who is Native American, Sen. Judy Estenson, R-District 15, responded, “I can represent those people better than ... whatever would be their preferred candidate.” Therein lies the problem.
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Letter: The Armstrong hypocrisy
Should all his efforts prove pointless, and worse, criminal, nothing can be done. He will not be punished, he will not be held to account, he will merrily continue on because there is no one in this state to stop him. This is a tragedy, morally, ethically, and criminally. Only in politics is this true. When we allow the overt corruption of will to dictate our course, we are lost and there is no finding our way back.
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Letter: Not in my America
On Veterans Day, Trump said, “We pledge to you that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal and that cheat on elections. They’ll do anything, whether legally or illegally, to destroy the American Dream.”
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On December 16, he said that undocumented immigrants were “poisoning the blood of our Country.”
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McFeely: GOP arsonists shocked by result of GOP arson
And really, did the limp statements by House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, NDGOP chairwoman Sandi Sanford and vice chair John Trandem really say anything, other than they were mostly mad Rios disrespected law enforcement? Back the blue, baby. Unless they're at the U.S. Capitol.
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I guess when your party platform is built on anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ policies it's tough to come out strongly against anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ ranting.
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Don't miss these national stories!
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Competitive Senate Race Heating Up in North Dakota
The Senate race in North Dakota provides arguably the highest return on investment for any U.S. Senate race this cycle. North Dakota has some of the cheapest media markets in the nation, presenting a cost-effective opportunity to get our message out. At a time when other Senate races will cost over $50 million to win, if we raise $6 million, we can make this race competitive.
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From drag bans to sports restrictions, 75 anti-LGBTQ bills have become law in 2023
Last month, a Texas high school removed a trans student from his lead role in the school’s production of “Oklahoma!,” citing a new school policy that said students must play theater roles that match the sex on their birth certificates. After backlash from the largely conservative local community, the Sherman Independent School District reversed that decision and reinstated the student, Max Hightower, and other students who weren’t trans but had lost their roles playing characters that didn’t match their birth sex.
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Nikki Haley didn't say slavery caused the Civil War. Now she's facing major backlash
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is facing significant backlash after failing to mention slavery as a driving force behind the Civil War during a campaign stop in New Hampshire.
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At an event on Wednesday, a voter asked Haley: "what was the cause of the United States Civil War?"
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She replied that the cause "was basically how government was going to run, the freedoms, and what people could and couldn't do."
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Maine secretary of state disqualifies Trump from primary ballot
Maine's secretary of state on Thursday ruled former President Trump is disqualified from holding office and appearing on the state's primary ballot under section 3 of the 14th Amendment over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol.
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"The U.S. Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government, and Section 336 requires me to act in response," Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, wrote in her decision.
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"Given the compressed timeframe, the novel constitutional questions involved, the importance of this case, and impending ballot preparation deadlines, I will suspend the effect of my decision until the Superior Court rules on any appeal, or the time to appeal…has expired," Bellows added.
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Trump Request To Put Defamation Trial On Hold Rejected
The request from Trump’s team came after the court said he waited too long to assert presidential immunity as a defense. The former president’s attorneys argued Trump needed more time to consider appellate options.
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They also cited Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith’s filings with the Supreme Court in a separate case urging an “immediate review” of Trump’s presidential immunity argument. The high court rejected Smith’s push for a fast ruling.
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North Dakota lawmaker unleashes homophobic, racial slurs during DUI arrest: ‘Going to regret picking on me’
North Dakota’s Democrat-NPL Party insinuated Rios should resign for his abhorrent actions on Thursday.
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“It used to be that when public servants disgraced themselves, they resigned rather than bring shame upon those they represent,” party Chair Adam Goldwyn said in a statement.
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“It seems the Republican Party no longer has a sense of shame. The Democrats are committed to governing with honor and dignity for all of us.”
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Biden Pardons Thousands More for Pot Offenses
Joe Biden pardoned thousands of people convicted of possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. laws on Friday. According to the White House’s announcement, the pardon, which affects U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, does not apply to those charged with “possession of marijuana with intent to distribute or driving offenses committed while under the influence.”
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Election officials see a range of threats in 2024, from hostile countries to conspiracy theorists
Add to that the fresh risks that have developed since the 2020 election and the false claims of widespread fraud being spread by former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Death threats directed at election workers and breaches of voting equipment inside election offices have raised questions about safety and security. Some states have altered their voting and election laws, expanded legislative control of local elections and added penalties for election workers who violate rules.
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The Century Club supports our year-round work to build party infrastructure supporting candidate recruitment, local district and regional leadership, issue-based education, and tools for Dem-NPL success.
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Help us elect great Democrats up and down the ballot!
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Grassroots organizers are the lifeblood of the Dem-NPL! Sign up to volunteer with the Dem-NPL!
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